As you enter the
gates, the modern era is left behind and you
step back in time to an era of great wealth
and privilege. The Vanderbilt Estate, known
as Hyde Park, represents this era of opulence,
conspicuous consumption and aesthetic privilege.

Between 1763 and
1835, three generations of owners made improvements
on the grounds transforming them into one of
the most important Romantic Landscapes in America.
The most significant contribution was the landscape
design work of Andre Parmentier, whose style
enticed visitors from Europe to see the justly
famous Hyde Park. It is exceedingly rare to
have a major residential landscape of this period
preserved and this, one of four known Parmentier
designs, is the most impressive.

Grandson of Cornelius
"Commodore" Vanderbilt, Frederick
William Vanderbilt began his transformation
of Hyde Park in 1895. He created all the structures
that now occupy the grounds and finally rebuilt
the house. Designed by the world famous firm
of McKim, Mead & White, the classical Indiana
limestone home contains 50 rooms with, at the
time, the latest residential technology available.
Central heating, plumbing and electrical power
were all fitted through out the home. Beneath
the stone facade, the building is actually a
modern steel and concrete structure, virtually
fireproof.

When it came to
the interiors, nothing was spared as they were
more than double the cost of the house itself.
The rooms are lavished with plasterwork, cornices,
fabrics and furniture. In the principal downstairs
rooms Stanford White's design hand is clear
and distinct in its flamboyance and attention
to proportion and detail. In 1897 White traveled
to London, Paris, Florence, Rome and Venice
in search of articles for the mansion at Hyde
Park.

Guided tours of
the mansion are available daily except major
holidays. The grounds and gardens are open daily
till dusk.